symptom analysis order pneumonic:
P: Provocative/palliative – What brings it on? Activity happening when you first noticed it? What makes it better? Worse?
Q: Quality/quantity – How severe is it? Look, feel, sound?
R: Region/radiation – Where is it? Does it spread out?
S: Severity scale – Rating on scale? Is it improving/worsening?
T: Timing = When did it start? How long? How often?
U: Understand patients perception- What do you think it means?

3. Define the elements of the health history: reason for seeking care; present health state or present illness; past history, family history; review of systems; functional patterns of living.

1. Reason for seeking care- brief, spontaneous statement in patients own words.
2. Present health state- statement about the general state of health.
3. Past history- important since they may have residual effects on the current health state.
4. Review of systems- evaluate past & present health state of each body system.
5. Functional patterns of living- measures a persons self care ability.

4. Discuss the rationale for obtaining a family history.

Highlights those diseases/conditions that a particular patient may be at increased risk for.

5. Define a pedigree or genogram.

Graphic family tree in at least 3 generations such as parents, grandparents, and siblings.